Durrant Pate/Contributor

Jamaica’s cruise shipping is experiencing some of its best days, maintaining momentum for a honeymoon run from the pandemic.

The positive indicators come on the heels of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL) reaffirming its commitment to Jamaica. At the same time, talks are ‘well-advanced’ on luxury yacht calls to sun-kissed Caribbean isle.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett in giving an update on the industry during his sectoral debate presentation in the House of Representatives this afternoon advised that RCCL has not only reaffirmed its commitment to Jamaica but has also set a target of maintaining its tally of 400,000 visitors to Falmouth every year.

Opening the 2024/2025 Sectoral Debate on Tuesday (April 30), Bartlett disclosed that Disney Cruise Lines indicated its satisfaction with the current operations in Falmouth and willingness to consider Port Royal as a future destination, pending the requisite logistical arrangements. 

He added that discussions with MSC Cruises have been very positive saying they have expressed a keen interest in forging a larger strategic partnership with Jamaica. “I am confident that these developments will contribute to the continued growth of our tourism sector. I am also pleased to say that private discussions are advanced as it relates to bringing luxury yacht calls to Jamaica by two very renowned and globally respected high-end operators in the industry,” the minister declared. 

Discussions at sensitive stage 

Indicating that discussions are currently at a sensitive stage, the Minister told the House that he will share more details on this in due course. He pointed to the island’s ability to bunker vessels, acknowledging that the cruise ship partners sees this as important

Bunkering refers to the process of supplying fuel to ships with Jamaica being the only Caribbean destination with the capacity to bunker vessels with liquified natural gas (LNG). Bunkering is available to vessels berthed at any of Jamaica’s five terminals. Emphasising that Jamaica is able to serve as a homeporting destination, Minister Bartlett told the parliament that the island is now exploring opportunities to expand the supply of goods and services to the vessels that visit its ports. 

He said Jamaica is a well-sought-after destination on cruise schedules noting, “With the average age of cruisers now at 46 instead of 64 years, there has been a heightened interest in community and gastronomy activities with 60 per cent of cruisers being either new cruisers or first-time visitors to Jamaica. Madam Speaker, cruise shipping recorded 1.26 million arrivals in 2023, 48.3 per cent above 2022 figures.”

The minister stated that while cruises have made a reasonably healthy comeback, albeit not a total return to 2019 figures, “the expectation is that the 2024-25 vessel arrivals and passenger count will equal or exceed those in the 2023-24 fiscal year despite the challenges in the sector. “

Improving visitor spend

Turning to the matter of visitor spend, Bartlett disclosed that this figure has been growing saying, ”I am pleased to highlight the significant recovery in visitor spending with the average daily spend reaching US$190, marking an impressive 11.8 per cent increase compared to 2019 (US$170). While overall and average daily revenue has also seen growth over time, it’s noteworthy that the length of stay has dipped just below that of 2019, standing at 7.7 days

The portfolio minister highlighted promising signs indicating that visitors are dispersing their spending across a more comprehensive array of areas within the destination, as reported by the attractions sub-sector through Jamaica’s partnership associations.